Russia vetoes UN resolution on Syria chemical attack

Russia vetoes Security Council resolution that would have set up an investigation into chemical weapons use in Syria.

Elad Benari, 11/04/18 01:08

UN Security Council

Reuters

Russia on Tuesday vetoed a U.S.-drafted United Nations Security Council resolution that would have set up an investigation into chemical weapons use in Syria following an alleged toxic gas attack in rebel-held Douma, AFP reported.

Nikki Haley, the American ambassador to the UN, said on Monday that Washington "will respond" to the chemical weapons attack in Syria regardless of whether the Security Council acts or not.

Ahead of Tuesday’s vote, Haley said "this resolution is the bare minimum that the council can do to respond to the attack" on Saturday.

Russian Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia accused the United States of "planting this resolution" as a "pretext" to justify action against Syria.

"We are using the veto in order to protect international rule of law, peace and security, to make sure that you do not drag the Security Council into your adventures," Nebenzia said.

12 of the 15 council members backed the measure, including France, Britain, African countries, Kazakhstan and Kuwait. Bolivia voted against the draft resolution, while China abstained.

The United States, France and Britain were among the seven countries that voted against the Russian proposal which they argued would not create an independent panel to investigate allegations of chemical weapons use.

China backed Russia's measure along with four other countries, while two others abstained.